How to Reduce Eye Strain While on the Computer

Many of us spend most, (if not all), of our day on the computer. Whether it be a simple email to a friend or a new article on Triond, the time literally passes by for us when we sit down at our computer desks and begin surfing the web. And while we surf, our eyes silently suffer from the harsh, continuous glare of our computer screen’s light and the small amounts of radiation that emits from our computer.

Over time, we may suffer from slight headaches, eye twitching, blurry vision and itchy/burning eyes, which can, if not treated properly, become excruciating migraines, involuntary face muscle spasms, and various degrees of blindness.

How can I prevent this from happening?

Well, below are a few options that can help save your eyes from serious damage and/or permanent blindness; Please follow the links to see a few products that can help your eyes (should you wish to purchase them).

I.     Eye Drops

Did you know that, on average, we blink 12 times per minute? And that when we use the computer, that number noticeably decreases to 5 times per min.?  This decrease will lead to the dehydration of the eye, which will cause dryness and burning, among other problems. To prevent this, you should invest in some lubricating eye drops which help keep moisture on your eye and prevent dry, irritated eyes.  You can buy these eye drops at your local drugstore or nearby Wal-Mart, or you can check out these links below if you wish to purchase online.

http://www.aclens.com/da.asp?MID=94&ID=16646

http://health-and-beauty.become.com/similasan-eye-drops-3-for-computer-eyes-10-ml--compare-prices--c202220074

http://www.thefind.com/beauty/browse-lubricating-eye-drops

II.      The right distance

Those the guy in the pic above look familiar? If so, chances are you are sitting way too close to your computer screen. Whether it be a desktop or laptop, doctors recommend that you sit at least 22 to 28 inches away from it because sitting too close or too far from your screen can result in eye strain and, possibly, eye fatigue. Failure to sit at the correct distance can possibly cause a few of these symptoms:

• Dry eyes
• Watery or runny eyes
• Itchy, inflamed eyes
• Eye swelling
• blurry vision
• slight to moderate headaches

III.      The right level

Simple adjustments to your posture will greatly reduce the chances of getting back, shoulder, neck and wrist pains as well as carpal tunnel and scoliosis.

See the two women in the pictures above? Notice how the woman on the left is sitting correctly, as her head is sitting on top of her spine and all that weight is pressed down into her hips, making the chair take all the weight, (which is what is was made to do).

The women on the right, however, is sitting incorrectly as her spine is slightly curved forward, making her shoulders hunched and her head dropping toward the floor. Using this posture will cause neck, shoulder, and back pains as well as eye problems, (as her head is forcing her sight to be stuck on one part of the screen and not the whole thing).

IV. Eye and wrist exercises (links)

Eye exercises:

http://www.hanford.gov/amh/eye/index.html (Interactive site that you control by using the toolbar on the bottom of the screen. You should turn down your sound as this site has no option for it.)

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/eyeexercises.asp (Whether or not you practice yoga, this simple eye exercise is easy to memorize and has a little interactive buddy showing you how to do it on the right side of the screen.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0&feature=related (A quick, 2:33 min. video on some simple eye exercises).

Wrist/Hand exercises:

http://www.safecomputingtips.com/ergonomic-exercise.html (Has tons of exercises that you can practice. Find some that you can do and turn it into a routine to practice everyday).

http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Arthritis/arth_hand-and-wrist-exercises.htm (A little collection of exercises that help exercise the forearms).

It’s not too late to save your body from the damaging effects that come from sitting at your computer. Follow these steps, and you will see results. Also, make sure to talk to your doctor before trying/buying any type of eye drops or reading/computer glasses, as you may damage your eyes even more by using certain products that are not intended for your eye type; don’t forget to have routine eye exams as well.